The hip's own gateway point. Juliao (GB-29) sits right at the hip joint and is the go-to point whenever the hip hurts, stiffens or loses its strength — a local specialist that also carries the power of two great vessels at once.
Contraindications
GB-29 is a safe point for most people. No specific contraindications are noted in the classical sources; follow standard needling depth guidelines and clean technique.
Name & story
The name 居髎 Juliao is often translated as "Squatting Bone-Hole" or "Residing Crevice". 居 (jū) means to dwell or to squat — the position of the hip in its natural bend — and 髎 (liáo) refers to a bony hole or crevice, pointing to the hollow felt at the lateral hip. The name paints an image of finding a small resting place nestled between the bones, right where the hip joint lives. It is a very fitting name for a point whose whole purpose is to tend to that joint.
Point family & character
Juliao (GB-29) belongs to the Gallbladder Meridian (GB). Its special character comes from being a meeting point of the Gallbladder Meridian (GB) with the Yang Motility vessel (Yang Qiao Mai) — two pathways crossing at the hip, which is part of why the point has a broader reach than a simple local point.
Five-element dynamics
The Gallbladder Meridian (GB) belongs to the Wood element and governs the tendons and the body's ability to move freely and decisively. Wood wants to spread and flow; when it is blocked — by Cold, Dampness, or stagnation — movement becomes painful and restricted. The hip is one of the great pivots of the body, and GB-29 sits exactly there, at the point where the leg meets the trunk. By activating the Gallbladder channel at the hip and drawing on the Yang Motility vessel — which governs the body's active, outward movement — Juliao helps restore that free, unobstructed flow the Wood element depends on.
Location
On the lateral side of the hip, at the midpoint of a line drawn between the anterior superior iliac spine (the bony prominence at the front of the pelvis) and the highest point of the greater trochanter (the large bony bump at the top of the thigh bone). Finding these two landmarks and placing a finger at their midpoint brings you right to GB-29.
Anatomy & fascia
The point lies on the lateral aspect of the hip, over the gluteal musculature, in the region of the hip joint and greater trochanter.
Needling
The needle is inserted perpendicularly, or obliquely downward (inferiorly) for a deeper effect. The sensation typically radiates into the hip or down the leg.
Safe depth
Perpendicular insertion 1 to 2 Cun; oblique insertion inferiorly 2 to 3 Cun.
Moxa, cupping & Tui Na
Moxibustion is well suited to this point, especially when the hip pain is Cold or Damp in nature — warmth helps dispel the obstruction. Cupping over the hip area is also commonly used alongside needling. Massage and Tui Na directed at the hip joint complement treatment between sessions.
Functions
Activates the channel and alleviates pain. Benefits the hip joint and surrounding tissues. Regulates the Yang Motility vessel (Yang Qiao Mai).
Indications
Hip pain — including pain radiating to the groin — and lumbar pain radiating to the lower abdomen. Weakness and paralysis of the leg. Sciatica. Shan disorder (pain or hernia-type conditions in the lower abdomen or groin). Pain of the front of the shoulder radiating to the chest; inability to raise the arm. Oedema, vomiting, diarrhoea.
Point combinations
GB-29 is most powerful when paired with nearby hip points. It is frequently used alongside Huantiao (GB-30) — the deep, strong point just posterior on the buttock — to create a powerful local treatment for the hip joint and sciatic nerve. Together, the two points cover the hip from different angles, one more anterior and one more posterior.
Clinical spotlight
Deadman notes that Juliao (GB-29) is "very commonly used in clinical practice" — and it is easy to see why. It sits precisely at the hip joint, making it irreplaceable for hip pain and mobility problems. What sets it apart from a simple local point is its dual nature: as a meeting of the Gallbladder Meridian (GB) with the Yang Motility vessel, it combines channel-activating power with the broader regulatory influence of an extraordinary vessel. Clinically, it is often paired with GB-30 to address the full arc of the hip — the two points working together like two hands cupping the joint.
The golden tip
For hip stiffness or aching, try finding the midpoint between the front of the pelvic crest and the top of the thigh bone — that hollow is GB-29. Press firmly with a thumb or knuckle and hold for one to two minutes, or apply a warm compress or heat pad to the area. Gentle hip circles and stretching after warming the point can help restore mobility. This is a safe area for self-massage and regular home care.
For education only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified practitioner.